Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
BBQ baby back ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender thanks to the Instant Pot. Made entirely from scratch in the Instant Pot (or with store-bought BBQ sauce and rub to make it easier), this recipe is healthier, Whole30 or paleo, or conventional. Versatile, flavorful, delicious, from a Memphian.
Yield: people
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork baby back ribs cut in half
- ¼ cup BBQ rub or use recipe below for Whole30 or homemade; If you use storebought BBQ sauce, pour it into the cooking pot of the Instant Pot before placing the ribs on top
- 1 cup BBQ sauce or use recipe below for Whole30 or homemade; If you use storebought BBQ sauce, pour it into the cooking pot of the Instant Pot before placing the ribs on top
BBQ RUB
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
BBQ SAUCE
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or refined coconut oil
- 1 cup sweet onion diced small
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup honey OR 1/2 cup coconut aminos for Whole30
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 6- ounce can tomato paste
- ½ cups chicken stock
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Turn ribs over so meaty side is face-down. Using a butter knife and your fingers, separate the transparent membrane from the back of the bones and meat and peel off.
- In a small bowl, combine all BBQ rub ingredients and sprinkle evenly all over ribs, front and back.
If making BBQ sauce homemade:
- Turn Instant Pot on Sauté mode. When hot, add avocado or coconut oil and sauté onion for 3-4 minutes or until softened and translucent. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add remaining BBQ sauce ingredients and stir until smooth.
- Add rib halves to Instant Pot, fitting them in a C-shape curve inside the cooking pot. Secure lid and set valve to Sealing position. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 40 minutes. Quick release.
- Remove ribs carefully - they will be fall-apart tender. Transfer to a baking sheet and preheat your broiler. Broil, watching carefully, until browned on top.
- If you made your sauce homemade: Blend the sauce, left in the Instant Pot, using an immersion blender or regular blender.
- Baste ribs with sauce and serve with plenty for dunking. Sprinkle with extra BBQ rub if desired.
Notes
If you're on Whole30, make absolute sure you do not use honey; use coconut aminos instead. You can also use 2 cups of my Whole BBQ sauce if you like.
You may have to squeeze the ribs in the Instant Pot so they fit - that is fine.
Nutrition
Calories: 640cal | Protein: 46g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 2182mg | Potassium: 1288mg | Total Carbs: 25g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Net Carbs: 20g | Vitamin A: 3513IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 5mg